New government plans to change an entire fleet of search and rescue helicopters are likely to mean that the number of helicopters available to go out and save lives will be cut by almost 50%. Whilst the replacement crafts are likely to be a great deal faster and more modern, there will be far fewer and, in turn, whilst speed may help save a few individuals, a lack of resources may remove the option to go and look for or rescue others.
As such, helicopter lessons could be integral for those living in remote locations, and the more individuals who know how to fly helicopters, the more chance there is of people taking up the mantle of private search party and heading out to look for those lost, hurt or in danger.
Not everyone can own their own helicopter, but there will be plenty of places willing to hire out helicopters to those with a private licence, meaning that those who take helicopter pilot training may not only be able to head out for their own pleasure as and when they like, but that they can also lend their services to those who need them most, as and when they need them.
There are those who point out many benefits of the change to faster and more reliable helicopters, and certain lives may indeed be saved by the plans. However, with only a limited number of helicopters available, it is almost inevitable that there will be times when the need for a helicopter to be sent out is greater than the ability to respond to such a need. In turn, should individuals learn such skills, they can at least lend a hand and head out to find out where an individual might be before alerting those on the ground to the whereabouts of those in peril.